Koma Kulshan chapter Washington Native Plant Society field trips are generally free and open to the public. Exceptions are noted in the trip descriptions.
Winter 2026 field trips
Saturday, February 21, 2026, 9:00am – 12:00pm
Winter Twigs and Bugs at Lookout Mountain Forest Preserve
This winter walk led by Abe Lloyd and Allan Richardson will emphasize identification of deciduous trees and shrubs based on their twigs and buds (copies of a key will be provided). There is a diverse assortment of native and some non-native plants along the trails that we will explore. Bring a hand lens (if you have one), snacks, and dress for the weather.
Location: Meet at 9:00 am at the Lookout Mountain Forest Preserve Parking Lot at 2537 Lake Louise Road across from Sudden Valley, Gate 9. From I-5 in Bellingham, drive 3.5 miles east on Lakeway Dr to the Geneva neighborhood, turn right on Austin St (which becomes Lake Louise Rd), trailhead will be on the right in 3.0 miles. WTA Route 512 leaves downtown at 8:40, arrives at trailhead at 8:58.
Contact Allan Richardson at asrichardson5@gmail.com to sign up. The number of spaces will be limited.
Spring 2026 field trips
Saturday, March 28, 2026, 9:00am – 5:00pm
Deception Pass Park
Explore one of the best sites for early season wildflowers on the short of the Salish Sea at
Deception Pass State Park. We’ll ramble across the meadows on Pass Island where the
grass widows (Olysynium douglasii) and camas (Camassia quamash) should be
blooming. Examine Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) male and female cones, see red-
flowering currant (Ribes sanguineum) clinging to the cliffs just above the splash zone,
and see if the first precocious blossoms of harsh paintbrush (Castilleja hispida) are
showing. Maybe even a checker lily (Fritillaria affinis) under the trees. Then we’ll head
over to West Beach where we should see diminutive Claytonia exigua ssp. exigua in the
sand. What else might we find?
Mark Turner (mark@turnerphotographics.com, 360-671-6851) is leading.
Meeting Location: Fairhaven west side park & ride to carpool, leaving at 9 am
and returning around 5 pm. You’ll need a Washington Discover Pass for parking. Dress
for the weather and bring your lunch and water.
Previous field trips are listed on their own page in case you’re curious about where the Koma Kulshan chapter has explored in previous seasons.